External Environment in Which The Body Shop Operates Research Paper - 2

External Environment in Which The Body Shop Operates - Research Paper Example Resources utilized for this project were gathered utilizing a wide variety of secondary source materials, including the theoretical professional perspectives in books, journals, and community reports highlighting strategic activities and analyses of reputable firms which recognize the importance of macro-level assessments. Research literature regarding The Body Shop, from a wide variety of community and internal perspectives, was compared to the tangible 2006 The Body Shop Annual Report so as to provide an accurate snapshot of the current state of long-term business strategy within the company. No primary data was gathered for this report in the form of observations or questionnaires due to researcher limitations.  Because of sales declines in the United Kingdom, The Body Shop must come to understand all of the macro-environmental factors which potentially hinder continued growth and business sustainability. In order to fully address these factors, this section highlights the busin ess environment of The Body Shop, including a detailed PEST analysis which divides the external business forces into four specific environmental categories. This format is designed to assist the reader in understanding how the aforementioned categories directly impact current performance and future longevity at the firm.  The Body Shop maintains an employee population of just over 7,500 (The Body Shop Annual Report, 2006). The Body Shop UK is a division of The Body Shop International, Plc. owned by the L’Oreal family of brands and experienced a one percent drop in sales from 2005 to 2006 (BSAR, 2006) Though this is not a tremendous sales decline, it does tend to illustrate that the firm is currently losing momentum in its European market. The Body Shop offers products which appeal to the upscale consumer, consisting of naturally inspired ingredients and the company guarantees the quality of its somewhat organic product line.

Literature review on profession Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Literature review on profession - Essay Example Torgersen (1972) and Abbott (1988) further emphasize on the need to monopolize duties for the achievement of professionalism. Andrews & Waerness (2011) suggest that de-professionalization may occur if there is a reduction on the area of responsibility or certain occupation’s jurisdiction. In general this involves where there is less specialization of occupational duties. Professions in the society are interests groups thus there positions are determined by the structural elements. Ascribing to the characteristics of interest groups they safeguard their advantages by means of social closure (Philip O’regan 2008). Therefore professionalism aims to regulate entry into an occupation so as to maintain its market value (Parkin, 1979). According to interactions’ perspective professions provides services to the society and defend the interests of their members as well as the interest group at large. Critical perspectives have been taken attributed to studies on professio nalization in the context of state-profession dynamics and collective social mobility within a set of power relations. In regard to this professions create professional monopoly by closure and exclusion to defend the interests of their members practice (Sian, 2006; Uche, 2002; Walker, 2004; Willmott, 1986; Yapa, 1999). †¦. 3. Accountancy and Professionalism †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 4. ... et al., 2012). According to AICPA, 2006; Gammie, Herbohn, & Whiting, 2010; Hopman & Lord, 2009; ICPAS, 2009 they provide that public accounting firms have under-representation of women in the partnership ranks despite them constituting at least half of all entry-level employees. Women have a higher turnover than men thus failing to progress in ranks. It is not clear if the underlying turn over factor having resulted into gender parity in the context of partnership promotions (Almera,E. et al., 2012). In USA statistics shows that post-senior manager positions have been established in most firms. Women are disproportionately represented unlike equity partner promotions (AICPA, 2005; Dambrin& Lambert, 2008; ICPAS, 2009). The rise in the post-senior manager positions is the need for terminal destination provision focussed on experienced senior managers who practice in the traditional accounting and tax areas but don’t have the skills or desire for equity ownership† (IPA, 200 5). Partnership career paths within the firms are preferred those [senior employees] who may not be willing or able to do whatever is necessary to become a partner† (Alter, 1991, p. 55), and they posses talents and knowledge important for the firm (Coolidge and D’Angelo, 1994; Hooks &Cheramy, 1994). With the need and pressure for women representation in higher professional positions categorically women careers, the accounting research literature do not provide any evidence that women with â€Å"greater choice and flexibility in career progression† as asserted by Hooks et al. (1997). The creation of these positions does not specifically focus in the fulfilment of employee of firms needs. There are no considerations on the implications of these positions incorporating gender